Adjustable spout for cans



Nov. 7, 1939. G. H.- CARY 2.179.280

ADJUSTABLE SPOUT FOR CANS Filed Nov. 7, 1938 J My. 6601 6 J5? C01 Patented Nov.-7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE ADJUSTABLE SPOUT FOR CANS George H. Cary, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application November '7, 1938, Serial No. 239,208

11 Claims.

My invention provides an extremely-simple attachment in the nature of a pouring spout for application to cans, theterm can being used in a broad and liberal Sense. i

Particularly the invention-relates to the provision of a spout that may be quickly and efficiently attached to tin cans or containers that contain various liquids such, for example, as molasses, paint or any of the various other liquids that are frequently shipped and sold in tin cans having removablecovers. In connection with such con tainers herein generically designated as cans, it is very desirable to have means for pouring the liqu d from the can without removing the cover and without exposing the contents of the can to the outside atmosphere. Moreover, a spout such as herein described is adapted to be applied to cans that are absolutely sealed, and which do not have removable covers.

The spout is'of such character that in the application thereof,'a puncture in the side of the can may be made either before or after the spout has been attached. Also, in some instances, the spout will be'provided with a can-puncturing barb or blade that will cut a hole in the can in the very application of the spout to the can.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein like characters indicate like throughout the several views.

Reierring to the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective showing the spout applied to a can having a carrying bail which is utilized a clamping band or element for holding the spout in operative position;

Fig. 2 is an axial section through the spout and a portion of thecan;

Fig. 3 is a perspective showing the spout removed from the can looking at the same toward its open or receiving end; and

40 Fig. i is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but illustrating a slightly modified arrangement for means of clamping the spout to the can.

Referring first to the structure illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 5 indicates the tin container provided with a carrying bail t pivoted thereto at "i. As is customary or com-. rnon, this can at its upper edge, has an inturned annular portion that forms an upstanding outer rib ii and an annular sealing rib 53 into the opening of which the cover ill is pressed and frictionally held with a liquid-tight joint.

The body of the spout H ispreferably a thin sheet metal tapered structure provided at its outer end with a removable cap or closure I2, and

formed with an oblique inner edge on to which is telescoped or otherwise secured a sealing ring it preferably of pliable rubber. On its top' the spout ii is provided with a flange Hi that terminates in a fulcrum-acting hook it that is adapted to overlap and engage the inner surface of the rim flange 3 directly opposite to the upper portion of the sealing flange l3. On its under side the spout is provided with a locking flange It, the outer edge of which is eccentric to a circle struck from the bail pivots l.

The bail 6 isadapted to be spring-pressed into engagement with the edge of the lock flange it, and the latter is preferably formed with notches if that hold the bail engaged where set on the lock flange. The spring tension in the bail ii will be sufficient to hold the flexible edge of the sealing flange l3 pressed against the body of the can with a liquid-tight joint.

' In. Fig. 2, the hole in the side of the can for delivering the contents of the can into the spout, is indicated at it. This opening 58 may, as above indicated, be formed in the can in various different ways. It might, for example, be cut in the side of the can before the spout is attached and while the can is turned on its side; or it may be formed after the spout has been attached but While the cap it is removed, simply by forcing a sharp instrument into the spout. However, in certain instances it is desirable to form this opening l8 by the very application of the spout, and, hence, for that purpose, I have shown a sharp-edged cutting prong or blade Iii attached tofthe interior of the can by welding, soldering or otherwise. The sharp point of this. blade l9 projects far beyond the plane of the face of the sealing flange it so that the very act of forcing the spout to position by a downward rocking action, using the hook it on the flange 8 as a fulcrum, will project the point of the blade through the side of the can andform the opening it.

Of course, when this additional feature of forming an opening in the can by the application of the spout is not desired, the barb or puncturing device may be omitted with the resulting reduction in the cost of the spout. However, when the puncturing device is desired, it should be applied substantially as shown so that the hook it may be used as a fulcrum. When the barb is used, the spout should, of course, be applied while the can is turned on its side.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 4 is like that above described except that the lock flange It, in its lower edge, is provided with anundercut notch 28 that is engaged by a band 2| applied around the can. This band 2|, like the bail 6 reacts against the can in holding the spout in position. The band 2| may be a non-metallic, elastic member or a metallic strap, either springacting or otherwise suitably secured around the can.

From the foregoing it is thought to be evident that the device described is sufiicient for the purposes had in view, can be made at comparatively small cost and can be quickly applied to a can or container. Of course, the spout can be used over and over again on different cans. The desirability of a pouring spout for cans or containers oi the above character is thought to be too obvious to require further comment.

Of course, the structure as specifically described, may be modified within the invention herein disclosed and claimed.

What I claim is:

l. The combination with a can having an upstanding rim and a lateral discharge passage located below said rim, of a pouring spout provided at its upper portion with a lock flange detachably engageable with said upstanding rim, and a device anchored to the body of the can and engageable with a lower portion of the spout structure to hold the same seated with its rim tightly pressed against the body of the can and with the spout in position to receive the contents of said can through said lateral passage.

2. A pouring spout of the kind and for the purpose described provided with a flexible sealing ring for contact with the can body and provided at its top with a lock flange terminating in a hook-like end operative as a fulcrum against the upstanding rim of a can, and provided at its lower portion with a notched lock flange, and an anchoring device applied to the body of the can and engageable with said lock flange to hold said spout in working position, said can having a lateral passage opening into the spout.

3. The combination with a can having an upstanding marginal rim, of an attachable pouring spout provided with a flexible sealing ring for contact with the can body and provided at its top with a lock flange terminating in a hook-like end operative as a fulcrum against the upstanding rim of said can, said spout on its lower portion having a lock flange, and a clamping band anchored to the body of the can and engaging said lock flange to hold said spout attached to the can.

4. The combination with a can having an upstanding marginal rim and a pivoted bail, of an attachable pouring spout provided with a flexible sealing ring for contact with the can body, said spout at its upper portion having a lock flange terminating in a hook-like end operative as a fulcrum on the rim flange of said can, and provided at its lower portion with a lock flange with which said ball is engageable to hold the spout against the can with a liquid-tight joint.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 in which the edge of said lock flange is eccentric to a circle struck from the axis of the pivotal connection between said bail and can.

6. The structure defined in claim 4 in which the edge of said lock flange is eccentric to a circle struck from the axis of the pivotal connection between said bail and can, the eccentric edge of said lock flange being notched.

7. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said spout is provided with a can-puncturing barb that projects therefrom beyond the plane of the face of said sealing ring and is adapted to be forced into the can and produce the discharge passage therein when said spout is forced to position by rocking action on said fulcrum-acting hook.

8. The structure defined in claim 4 in which said spout is provided with a can-puncturing barb that projects therefrom beyond the plane of the face of said sealing ring and is adapted to be forced into the can and produce an opening therein when said spout is forced to position by rocking action on said fulcrum-acting hook.

9. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said spout is provided with a removable cap at its outer end.

10. The structure defined in claim 4 in which said spout is provided with a removable cap at its outer end.

11. The combination with a can having a lateral discharge passage located below its rim, of a pouring spout provided with a projecting portion engageable with the can to hold the spout against downward slipping movement on the can, and a clamping device anchored to the body of the can and engageable with said spout to hold the same seated with its rim against the body of the can and with the spout in position to receive the contents of the can through said lateral passage.

GEORGE E. CARY. 

